"It is impossible to ensure the republic's economic and political development without establishing basic institutions of civil society," Kozak said at the seminar "Role of Civil Society in Ensuring Social Stability in North Caucasus".
According to him, until a comprehensive system of local government is firmly in place in Chechnya, effective solution of a host of problems confronting the republic is "out of the question".
The presidential envoy stressed that it was necessary to bar the widespread practice in the North Caucasus when "vested interests of certain groups are voiced by way of pompous declarations".
"Settlement of all political issues should be held in a civilized way - through conduct of a referendum or an election according to international standards. This is the only way to address issues pertaining to establishment of the republic's social and political system," Kozak said.
Participants in the seminar pointed out that the infrastructure of a normal civil society in Chechnya has been destroyed and is practically non-existent.
Many participants urged the national NGOs and political parties to be more active in setting up their branches in Chechnya. Among other things, they highlighted youth problems as one of the main concerns on the authorities' agenda.
Participants also spoke in favour of more dynamic efforts to be taken in advancing educational standards of young Chechens, expansion of a network of training courses preparing young people for admission to colleges and universities, and organization of familiarization trips for young Chechens to get to know their counterparts in other regions of Russia.
The seminar participants also called on all Russia's political parties to take a more active part in the electoral process currently under way in the run up to the forthcoming parliamentary elections in the republic. Media problems were also in the focus of the seminar's discussion.
According to many speakers at the forum, mass media must display a responsible approach toward the developments taking place in the region and supply the public with objective information concerning all events in Chechnya. The speakers highlighted the importance of constructive criticism in media for re-establishment of normal life in the republic.
All seminar participants also acknowledged the necessity of an "inter-Chechen" dialogue between different political figures in the republic.
The seminar, held on the premises of RIA Novosti, is attended by head of presidential administration Vladislav Surkov, President of the Chechen Republic Alu Alkhanov, Russia's Education Minister Andrei Fursenko, presidential aide Aslanbek Aslakhanov, and over fifty representatives of various civic, political, media, educational and cultural organizations of the Chechen Republic.
